KAPA‘A – The Kapa‘a High School Warrior baseball team had a different role behind the plate, Saturday, as they helped Kaua‘i Police Department officer Mark Ozaki of the Kaua‘i Police Activities League, and the Kawaihau Little League during the opening
KAPA‘A – The Kapa‘a High School Warrior baseball team had a different role behind the plate, Saturday, as they helped Kaua‘i Police Department officer Mark Ozaki of the Kaua‘i Police Activities League, and the Kawaihau Little League during the opening day festivities at the Main Diamond at the New Kapa‘a Ball Park.
The role of helpers at the Kawaihau Little League opening put the Warriors in the limelight as aspiring youngsters would look at the Warriors in admiration, many being thrilled when a Warrior, many of them products of the Kawaihau program, would stop and chat, or provide encouragement and tips to the young competitors.
The Pitch, Hit, and Run competition was enjoying its second year at the park, and Ozaki noted that one of last year’s winners, Dallas Correa who plays for the West Kaua‘i Baseball Association, advanced to take the Regional competition, and did well at the Nationals.
This year, the program was being cosponsored by the Kawaihau Little League, and Ozaki was anticipating a rush of participants following the 11 a.m. opening ceremonies.
Additionally, he noted that winners from the Saturday competition would advance on to the Regionals which will be held on Maui. A win at the Regionals will advance competitors to the National competition which is scheduled to be held in Detroit, Michigan.
The normal garb of gloves and batting gloves were replaced by clipboards, measuring tapes, and the necessary equipment for the competition, but that did not bother the Warriors who found ample opportunity to have fun with the event – especially, when they discovered that several of the Warrior players were eligible to compete in the event that was open to youth between 7 and 14 years of age.
That put the pressure on left-handed Travis Shigeta, whose brother Tanner was doing duty on the pitchers’ mound for an ongoing game, the Warrior having to hit against a 13-year-old that towered above the high school player. Head coach Destry Carvalho commented, “He’s going to be a bull (when he gets to the high school program)!”
The Pepsi Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit, & Run competition provides youngsters across the country an opportunity to participate in an exciting baseball skills competition while allowing them a chance to showcase their pitching, hitting, and running abilities.
Pitch, Hit, & Run is intended to encourage youth participation and emphasize the “Fun” element of baseball, a perfect complement to the Opening Day festivities of the Kawaihau Little League program that co-sponsored the event along with K-PAL.
For the Kapa‘a High School Warriors and the aspiring ball players, the entire event was a romp in the winner’s circle.
